“We’re putting people first and cutting travel times, boosting safety and supporting the South East’s growing population.

“Thompsons Road is in the middle of one of Australia’s fastest growing regions and this project is important to getting people to their daily destinations efficiently and safely,” said Minister for Roads Luke Donnellan.

This upgrade project will involve the removal of the level crossing on the Cranbourne line in Lyndhurst and the construction of a six-lane bridge over the railway line. Road duplication works are also included from Marriott Boulevard to the South Gippsland Highway.

Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit with this project with the construction of new paths which will improve the connection to and from the Merinda Park train station.

Up to 10-kilometres of new shared-use path for pedestrians and cyclists will be constructed along Thompsons Road as well, and this will include an 8.2-kilometre path on the north side as well as a 1.5 kilometre path on the south.

“We’re removing the dangerous and congested level crossing so people will no longer have to stop and wait for boom gates,” said Member for Cranbourne Jude Perera.

Works on the first stage of the Thompsons Road Upgrade project is expected to ramp-up by the end of 2016, with completion projected by late 2018.

The construction contract for Stage Two of the upgrade is expected to be awarded by mid-2017, with works including the widening of Thompsons Road.

The entire project is set to be completed by mid-2019.

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